Home Bats Natalus macrourus
Scientific Name
Natalus macrourus
Family
Natalidae
Global Conservation Status (IUCN)
Near Threatened
Region
South America
Diet
Insectivore

Data Sheet

Diet: Insectivore

Very little is known about the diet of Brazilian funnel-eared bats. They are aerial insectivores, and related species of funnel-eared bats are known to eat insects and other arthropods. 

Fun Fact: Bat classification can be confusing! The species epithet “macrourus” was first used to describe this bat by Paul Gervais in 1856. However, in some places, this species is referred to as N. espiritosantensis, after it was determined to be a unique species of funnel-eared bat. Both refer to the same species, though N. marourus is considered the most updated species name. 

Appearance: Funnel-eared bats get their name from their distinctive, funnel-shaped ears. These tiny yellow, orange or white-colored bats only weigh around 6 grams. Their noses have a ridged appearance thanks to a unique structure called the natalid organ and small, deep-set eyes. 

Habitat: Brazilian funnel-eared bats are particularly reliant on cave habitat for survival and reproduction. Found in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, this species is widespread but rarely encountered. It has been found roosting in caves made of both sandstone and limestone. They tend to prefer caves with high humidity and warm temperatures. 

Conservation Concerns: Habitat loss and degradation are the biggest threats to this bats survival and distribution. While currently classified as “Near Threatened” according to the IUCN Red List, this cave specialist is close to qualifying for “Vulnerable” status. Habitat distribution modeling suggests that this species has already lost up to 54% of its natural habitat and many areas of high environmental suitability lie close to disturbances like mining operations. 

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    The goal of this work is to utilize legal protection measures and tax incentives to provide long-term protection for 70 important cave roosts, protecting up to 82 species of bats.

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Additional Resources:

IUCN Redlist

Literature Cited:

Delgado-Jaramillo, M., Barbier, E., & Bernard, E. (2018). New records, potential distribution, and conservation of the Near Threatened cave bat Natalus macrourus in Brazil. Oryx, 52(3), 579–586.

Garbino, G. S., & Tejedor, A. (2013). Natalus macrourus (Gervais, 1856)(Chiroptera: Natalidae) is a senior synonym of Natalus espiritosantensis (Ruschi, 1951). Mammalia, 77(2), 237-240.

Genelhu, S. M. C., Cardoso, R. C., Pires, R. S. D. A., Gamba-Rios, M., & Barros, J. D. S. Caves as a crucial refuge: large colony of the endangered species Natalus macrourus (Gervais, 1856) in an anthropized landscape. 

Lizarro, D., Aguirre, L. F., Pérez-Zubieta, J. C., Vargas, A., & Galarza, M. I. (2020). Characterization of caves as bat roosts in the brazilian-paranense biogeographic region of Bolivia. Therya, 11(3), 390-397.

Tejedor, A. & Davalos, L. 2016. Natalus espiritosantensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136448A21983924